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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Now don’t tell my boss, but on Tuesday mornings when I arrive at work before A Life Scientific on BBC Radio 4 has ended, I’m forced to sit in the car until it does. Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires and motivates them. I particularly loved his interview with Eugenia Cheng on the mathematics of mathematics. Though it was never my strongest subject, I continue to love maths, desperate to understand and to find the right answer, though I seldom do. What’s extraordinary about many of the people featured on A Life Scientific is how often a childhood interest or passion has led to a fulfilling career and it’s clear that doing something you love is a wonderful privilege. I’ll be playing the podcasts to my son when he’s a little older because whatever he does in life I want it to be what makes him happy. You may have read about the letter a teacher in Singapore sent to parents the week before her students were to sit exams. Here’s a short extract: “I know you are all really anxious for your child to do well. But, please do remember, amongst the students who will be sitting for the exams there is an artist who doesn’t need to understand math, an entrepreneur who doesn’t care about history or English literature, a musician whose chemistry marks won’t matter. There’s an athlete whose physical fitness is more important than physics. If your child does get top marks, that’s great, but if he or she doesn’t please don’t take away their self-confidence and dignity. Tell them no matter what they score you love them and will not judge them. Please do this and when you do, watch your children conquer the world. One exam or a low mark won’t take that away. And please don’t think that doctors and engineers are the only happy people in the world.” I hope you have or have had the opportunity to do what you love and that you can inspire others to do likewise. Driving to work at 6am on a cold January morning is never easy, but it’s a whole lot easier if you’re looking forward to the day ahead.
In Touch
with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone
Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: shotley@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
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01473 400379 Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints.
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NEWS WE OWN THE PIER! Shotley Heritage Charitable Community Benefit Society Ltd completed the purchase of Shotley Pier on February 20. The purchase was delayed by the conveyancing discovery that the hammerhead section of the pier was actually not part of the title, and needed to be separately purchased from the Crown Estate. This was complicated, not least because the Crown Estate doesn’t usually sell freehold title, only long leases. An exception was made due the charitable status of the pier group and a limiting covenant was agreed to ensure the purpose remains charitable. The board had undertaken to investors that the purchase of the main part of the pier would be completed at the same time because the pier is intended to be a working pier rather than solely leisure use. More than 500 people have now invested, and the group is re-launching the community share offer to renovate the pier. The smallest purchase of one share for £25 has ensured that people from all walks of life could become members of the society and become part owners of the pier. The group is now seeking more volunteers and grants to get started on complete renovation of the pier, which is expected to take about five years. Email shotleypier@gmail.com if you would like to get involved or would like to contribute by donating or buying community shares.
HARKSTEAD MILLENNIUM GREEN MOWING NOTICE A new mowing regime agreed by the trustees will start this spring on Harkstead’s Millennium Green. In order to enhance opportunities for wildlife, approximately 30% of the grass will be allowed to grow through the season, only being cut in the late summer. Half of this will be cut and raked in the first year with the other half being done the following year. The remaining 70% will continue to be cut as at present (roughly every two weeks during the growing season). This is very much a trial and things can be adjusted to achieve the desired result or abandoned at the discretion of the trustees. It is hoped that many native flower and grass species will appear in the early years of this new management, but to aid the process some local native species will also be planted in the area. The grass that is raked off will be used to encourage reptiles at the edge of the area and some logs will be buried there to help breeding stag beetles.
SHOTLEY BIG QUIZ The annual big quiz which challenges the various groups in Shotley against one another in order to crown one group top team for the year was held on Saturday, January 27. It was a bleak and windy night but this didn’t stop 16 teams, plus supporters, from filling Shotley Village Hall. A new group entering the lists was the Bee Keeping Group. Unfortunately the Open Spaces swarmed over them (see what I did there?!) but I’m sure they’ll be back next year. The final saw Shotley Open Spaces up against Shotley & Erwarton Good Neighbour Scheme. Through three rounds of five questions comprising general knowledge, local knowledge and current affairs the teams battled heroically, supported by the occasional burst of applause at an answer well given, but Shotley & Erwarton Good Neighbours prevailed to become Shotley Group of the Year. It was a fun evening with the hall filled with laughter and good will and the sum of £454 was raised for Heritage 700. Thank you to all who came along to make this such a smashing evening. Allana Baxter
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NEWS SHOTLEY PIER PATRON VISITS THE PIER FOR A BRIEFING
BINGO NIGHT FUNDRAISER FOR LOCAL GIRL GUIDES GROUP
Shotley Pier group was pleased to take James Cartlidge, MP and Patron of the group, on a short inspection of the pier. The team has taken out insurance and did a risk assessment before unlocking the gate and taking a small group onto the pier. The inspection revealed no surprises, and confirmed that the decking is in poor condition.
A night of fun, cakes and prizes has been arranged as a fundraiser for a local Girl Guide Group and is open to all who enjoy a game of bingo.
Chairman John Davitt, pictured here with James, said: “We are on the verge of exchanging contracts as the conveyancing has been completed. It was a great feeling to step briefly onto the pier with our patron and to discuss our plans.” James Cartlidge MP said: “I am absolutely delighted to be the patron of this fantastic community project. The team has shown impressive levels of effort, enthusiasm and determination to get the project to this stage, and I look forward to collaborating further with them in future. “Having both walked down the top end of the pier, and had a boat trip to see the furthest end, it was clear to see just how much work will be needed to complete the regeneration. However, with the generosity and support from residents on the peninsula and further afield, I am sure that the Shotley Pier will have a bright future ahead. I think this once again underlines the strength of community spirit in Shotley.”
The Guides live in various villages on the peninsula and meet in Holbrook each week. Aged between 10 and 14, the girls take part in a wide range of activities. During 2017 these included crafts, skating, archery, outdoor adventures, campfires and marshmallows! The bingo night is planned for Thursday, March 22 and will take place at Holbrook Primary School. The event will start at 7.15pm and costs £2 per person, pre-booking isn’t necessary. There will be a raffle, cake stall, refreshments and bingo prizes. Unit Leader Beverley Rudge said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to our bingo night. The Guides are involved in the planning of the event and will help out in numerous ways on the night. It’s a great way for them to improve their organisation abilities, their self-confidence and social skills.” Rosie, one of the Guides, commented: “I have been part of 1st Holbrook Guides for almost a year now and enjoy trying different activities, having fun and making new friends.” Spaces are available for girls wanting to become Guides. For details contact: holbrookguides@outlook.com
SOCIAL SEW-AND-SO’S A new social group is starting up in Harkstead. One of its main aims is for people to turn up with their own projects and undertake them in a social environment. We all know in this day and age, clearing space across the kitchen table to set up a sewing machine or to cut fabric is a chore. So, the idea is pack it all up, bring it with you, spread out across our tables and set some specific time aside to get those things done amongst other creative folk. This can be sewing, stitching, embroidery, knitting, crochet, crafts… There won’t be any formal teaching, but hints, tips and advice where necessary are sure to be in abundance. Come and join us! We will meet at Harkstead Village Hall from 9am-noon on the following dates: Saturday, March 3 Saturday, April 14 Saturday, May 5 Saturday, June 2 Saturday, July 7 Saturday, August 4 Donations to help cover cost of hiring the hall would be appreciated. Tea and coffee will be available at Farmers’ Market pricing. For more information contact Sarah: 01473 328692
ALL GOD’S CREATION IS VERY GOOD The interdenominational movement of the Women’s World Day of Prayer invites everyone to attend one of over 5,000 services being held on Friday, March 2 with the title All God’s Creation is Very Good! Our local service welcomes everyone from the Shotley Peninsular and surrounding area. We will join an estimated three million people around the world that day in a service which has been written this year by the women of Suriname in South America. Starting in Samoa as the sun rises, and ending as the sun sets off the coast of American Samoa, the service will have been translated into more than 95 languages and 1,000 dialects as we are reminded that we have responsibilities in caring for this wonderful world we live in. With its vast rainforest and wealth of resources, Suriname asks us to pray for conservation and the protection of wildlife, through an awareness of pollution, misuse and abuse, as well as for the situation in Suriname and concerns for the future. This is not simply a day of prayer for women, but for everyone who cares about our world and those who live in it. You are invited to St Andrew’s Church, Chelmondiston on Friday, March 2 at 2pm. The service takes one hour so there is time to pickup from school and pre-school children are welcomed to the afternoon. Tea and fellowship follow the service. Everyone most welcome. Contacts: Christine Ward, 01473 780621 / Rachel Wainwright, 07952 574888
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NEWS DISTRICT COUNCILLOR DEREK DAVIS – BERNERS WARD Shotley, Erwarton, Chelmondiston, Woolverstone and Freston Dealing with people who are close to becoming homeless, for a variety of reasons and quite often not of their own making, is one the biggest challenges we have at Babergh. Last month I dealt with three different cases, not yet concluded, but by working closely with our housing team and other agencies I’m sure we will get positive results. Excellent housing association projects, such as Chapel Fields, have been a boon but sadly there is a shortage of this type of accommodation. People do fall through the gaps, which is why projects such as Tiffers, the Bus Shelter project, are so important. Another scheme, recently adopted by Babergh in partnership with Solo Housing, is finding a spare room for a single person. This matches people who would welcome someone into their home, either because they would enjoy the company or would like help with bills, or a combination of both. It helps the single person, who have or are about to become homeless either down to a relationship breakdown or monetary woes, get a steady place to live and a chance to start again. Please get in touch with me or Solo Housing if you would like to offer a spare room, or are in a difficult housing situation. Boundary Commission Delay The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has delayed the publication of its final recommendations for the Babergh review. The commission is currently examining the electorate data and forecasts which underpin all the recommendations and is expected to be able to make a
further announcement about the completion of both reviews following its next meeting on February 20. The Shotley peninsula currently has three wards, Alton, which covers Tattingstone, Stutton and Brantham with Independent Alastair McCraw and Harriet Steer, a Conservative, the district councillors. David Rose, an Independent, is councillor for Holbrook, Lower Holbrook and Harkstead, while another Independent councillor, Derek Davis, covers Shotley, Erwarton, Chelmondiston, Woolverstone and Freston, along with Peter Patrick, a Conservative who lives in Polstead. The new ward boundaries under review would see Shotley, Erwarton and Harkstead become a single member ward, while Bentley would join with Chelmondiston, Woolverstone and Freston but stay a two-member ward, while Holbrook would go in with the current Alton Ward. It was expected that the Boundary Commission review would have been completed now, but issues with Mid-Suffolk figures have set things back. The current administration of both councils want to dissolve Babergh and MidSuffolk and became one Heart of Suffolk council, although Conservative leader John Ward had promised a referendum would be held in Babergh after a previous poll resulted in 61 per cent of resident who voted going against the proposal in 2011. If you have an issue you would like to discuss please contact: derek.davis@babergh.gov.uk / 07824 167196 My Facebook page is: Derek Davis-Your Independent Councillor
HOLBROOK PARISH COUNCIL
DEATH CAFÉ
Key points from the meeting held in January
I’m sure many of you are wondering what a Death Café is. Well I shall attempt to answer your question, although the best way to experience it is to come along and find out for yourself.
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council Update The consultation process has begun relating to Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils working together under the heading ‘One Council for the Heart of Suffolk’. The parish council discussed the process and issues arising and have made a formal response. Planning Applications A large proportion of the parish meeting related to new planning applications received and a public forum was conducted and the views of the residents were listened to and considered for each application submitted. Holbrook Parish Council’s New Website A new website has been launched for the parish at: http://holbrook.suffolk.cloud Please contact the clerk if you have any news stories or events that you would like published. Holbrook Parish Council currently has a councillor vacancy; if anyone would like further information or is interested in the role, please contact the clerk directly. Full minutes of this and all other meetings are available on the new Holbrook parish website or by contacting the clerk: holbrookparishclerk@outlook.com / 07999 583017 Future meeting dates are March 19, April 16 and May 21.
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I arrived I must confess a little late to a table with about seven people. On the table was a pot of tea, fresh coffee, cheese straws, sausage rolls and carrot cake. I was made to feel very welcome and we all went round the table introducing ourselves and briefly stating why we had come along. Many reasons as it happens: some of us getting to a certain age had begun to recognise our own mortality; some of us had lost close friends and relatives and wanted to make some sense of it; a mother with terminal cancer uplifting, positive and inspirational in her approach to the inevitable; some because they were just plain curious; others because they felt that death, so often the elephant in the room, needed to be discussed. As the meeting got under way a steady trickle of people continued to enter the room and another table was brought out to accommodate them. So not such a scary subject as you might think and I realised our wonderful facilitator and instigator Jane Gould had hit the right spot. The Death Café is clearly whatever it needs to be for those who attend, a group of people talking, connecting and listening to one another on a subject that affects us all at one time or another in life. Death is something we all have to deal with so let’s begin talking about it and maybe the whole subject will become less taboo and cause us less fear Join us at Woolverstone Church from 11am on Sunday, March 4. Abigail Henshall
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of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing
a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’ So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
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NEWS NEWS FROM HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY Training days Our next training afternoons will be on Wednesdays, March 7 and April 25 when we will be shut from 1pm. There will be no GP clinic or baby clinic as the practice will be closed. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999. Community Connector Bus This is now up and running and has already benefitted a number of patients. The bus alternates between Holbrook and Shotley on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am-2pm. There is space for confidential meetings to help patients improve their quality of life and also an area with general information. Each visit has another service visiting with them which could be a representative from the Suffolk Wellbeing Service or someone from the Clinical Commissioning Group advising on medications. Please go along and visit the bus to see what is on offer. Good Neighbour Schemes Many of our patients rely on the generosity of the Good Neighbour Schemes to help them get to hospital or collect a prescription for them. Our colleagues at Community Action Suffolk are trying to start a scheme covering Holbrook village and are looking for volunteers to help. If you are interested, please contact Sally Connick: 01473 826242 / sally.connick@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk Chest pains and heart attack symptoms No two people are the same and symptoms can vary from person to person. They can vary from severe pain in the centre of your chest, to having mild chest discomfort that makes you feel generally unwell. Other symptoms may accompany the chest pain or discomfort. If you, or anyone around you, experience these symptoms, do not ignore them. Phone 999 immediately for an ambulance. The sooner you get treatment the greater your chances of survival. Stroke – Act ‘FAST’ If you think someone may be having a stroke it is important to respond very quickly. The sooner they receive treatment, the greater the chance of survival and recovery. F – Has their face fallen on one side, can they smile? A – Can they raise their arms and keep them there? S – Is their speech slurred? T – It’s time to call 999 if you see a single one of these signs. Every second counts. Practice Manager Julia Smith
REPORT TO PARISHES, ALTON WARD: MARCH 2018 Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw Brantham Rail Maintenance Yard There’s been some recent speculation about the above and it looks like it’s justified. Our MP, James Cartlidge, believed it to be in periland and, to his credit, sought meetings with the involved parties to try to find solutions. For that reason, I’ve tried to remain positive (and quiet) while these discussions have gone on. He has also had a meeting with the Transport Secretary, who has promised to investigate further. Abellio Greater Anglia state the issues to be resolved as follows; preparation of the site, train access, commercial terms with St Francis Group and (significantly it appears) the impact on the Manningtree Level Crossing. That last brings Network Rail firmly into matters. The Manningtree Crossing has been a thorn in all our sides for a very long time, so this won’t be a surprise. There will be a meeting in early March between Suffolk CC, Essex CC, Babergh District Council, Tendring DC, Network Rail, Greater Anglia and the Department of Transport. Harriet and I, as your ward members at Babergh, will also be there. I’m not looking to pre-judge, but I do believe that a total solution of the crossing problems will take a lot of time, money, and political will and involve a lot of inconvenience. Will a solution for the Maintenance Yard be found in time for the new fleet of trains in early 2019? It seems highly doubtful. Abellio maintain that final decisions have not been made yet, either for Brantham or elsewhere. This is an incredibly disappointing situation. I know that Babergh, Harriet and myself, Brantham Parish Council and, most importantly, Brantham itself have been wholly supportive. If there have been any failings in due diligence they rest elsewhere. This, however, is not yet the time for pointing fingers, if solutions can still be found. I’ll keep you all posted through the Facebook group below, at meetings and whenever I see any of you who want to know more. The site itself must have some potential or it would never have been considered. Suffolk Coast and Heaths ANOB Boundary Review We all know that we live in a beautiful area. Now we have the chance to state that, and importantly, to protect it. The AONB could receive a significant extension in the near future. A public consultation on the boundary review is on now and runs until Friday, April 20. As well as including land across the Stour estuary the proposed extension skirts around the east side of Brantham, including Decoy Pond, the Millennium Wood (Pattles Fen), the south side of Church Lane and further adds the Samford Valley between here and Stutton and Tattingstone and further sweeps into Dodnash as well. You can find full details of the review at: https://tinyurl.com/y73hgv85 A map, online response and a fact sheet are all available there. I urge you to respond to preserve as much as we can. There is more to tell you, but I’ll have to refer you to the Facebook group or local news websites like www.shotleypeninsulanewsandfeatures.com.
SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE 01473 353350 We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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As ever, I can be contacted as below, and I’ll be out and about on that old blue Claud Butler pushbike. Alastair McCraw 07812 564188 / alastair.mccraw@babergh.gov.uk Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw & Harriet Steer (a joint open group)
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NEWS DON’T BECOME THE VICTIM OF A TELEPHONE SCAM We take regular reports from members of the public who have fallen victim to various scams and cons which start off with a phone call or an email. Unfortunately, some victims are defrauded of large amounts of money – sometimes their entire life savings. Over the years we have heard of various tricks and ruses, as the fraudsters come up with increasingly convincing ways to gain the confidence of their victims. Sometimes victims are contacted by someone purporting to be from the fraud department associated to their bank and makes claims that their account/s are being targeted by rogue bank employees. They also claim that such ‘rogue employees’ are currently being internally investigated, but to safeguard the victim’s money they need to transfer their savings out of their account into an apparent ‘safe’ account. The fraudulent callers will apply a time pressure and the need to supposedly keep secret the transfers out of the account. The victim is either asked to make instant transfers online or to go to their local branch to carry out the necessary transfers. During the phone call the victim is guided on the mobile phone as to what they should and should not say to others, especially bank staff. DC Joanne Smith from Safeguarding and Investigations said: “The fraudulent caller will sound very convincing, and claims to know the banks procedures and even information about the victims account to gain their trust. The fraudulent caller may also build the trust over a couple of days before asking to make the transfers, as well as providing genuine telephone numbers and passwords that will correspond to the legitimate Bank / Building Society. Some fraudsters have the ability to mask their telephone number so what appears on the caller display conveys the impression it is a genuine phone number.” Residents should remember the following: Your bank or the police will never ask you to withdraw money or purchase items. Your bank or the police will never ask for your PIN, bank card or bank account details over the phone – never give these details out. If the victim has any concerns about what the caller is asking then they should end the call and report to their branch and or fraud department Never download any software suggested by caller. Do not rush into complying with the scammer’s demands/requests. If you receive such a call leave the landline for at least five minutes to make an outside call. Fraudsters will keep the line open and have been known to play ring tones, hold music and a recorded message down the phone so the victim believes they are making a call to a legitimate number. Use a friend or neighbour’s telephone instead. Friends, family, carers and neighbours are asked to spread the word to ensure everyone is aware of this scam and what they should do. You can report incidents of fraud to Action Fraud by calling 03001 232040 or using their online reporting tool: www.actionfraud.police.uk You can also sign up to the Trading Standards weekly email alert on rogues and scams targeting Suffolk: www.suffolk.gov.uk/JoinTheFight Until next month, if you any queries or questions please contact Hadleigh SNT at Hadleigh Police Station, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD / hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk EMERGENCY: CALL 999 NON-EMERGENCY: CALL 101 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @HadleighPolice POLICE CONNECT: suffolk.police.uk/policeconnect
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT
We continue to promote Walkers are Welcome with five members of our group attending a celebration in the town of Clare, the second location in Suffolk to be accredited. At the event it was announced that Eye had also been successful with its application so we are now in very good company. Our congratulations go out to both these towns and we look forward to more Suffolk locations joining the scheme. There was close on 100 people packed into the Bristol Arms on February 7 to discuss the future of the approved scheme to protect Shotley Cliff against further erosion. The clear message from the meeting was that the Phase 3 scheme needed to be progressed as soon as possible as recent storms have highlighted the fragility of existing sheet piles and concrete defences. SOS is pleased to support the parish council in progressing this project and working with the statutory bodies. This is building on the successful parish council led Phases 1 and 2 completed in 2012 and will see the long term protection of eight acres of woodland and the riverside footpath, along with peace of mind for the 1,000 or so residents of Shotley Gate whose properties would undoubtedly be at risk if the woodland was to collapse into the river. Organised walks have become quite a thing for our group and the next Health Walk is on Tuesday, March 20 from The Shotley Rose at 11am. Please join us for this gentle stroll around the dry end of Shotley. A more challenging walk is on Sunday, March 18 from The Red Lion in Chelmondiston, starting at 10am. This is to walk the much-celebrated Arthur Ransome Trail from Pin Mill to Shotley and is a distance of six miles (one way). Again please join us if you can; it’s a lovely riverside walk along the banks of the River Orwell. This walk is part of the Stour River Festival, a year-long celebration of all things to do with the River Stour, and our walk ends at the point where the Rivers Stour and Orwell meet in Harwich Haven. High tide is around noon on the day and it’s great to see the rivers full of water. Hopefully there will be some yachts and boats out for the start of the season. While on the subject of walking, a special mention and thanks go out to Jill Nunn of Shotley for her amazing work leading Shotley Walking Group every month for the past 24 years. Yes, I did say 24 years. Rarely missing a month, Jill has shared her enthusiasm for walking in Suffolk with many, many people. However, the time has come for Jill to ‘hang up her boots’ and leave the walk leading to others, though I have no doubt that Jill will join us on some of our walks in the coming summer months. A personal thank you Jill for sharing your time with me for the last 10 years. I have met some lovely people and been to some lovely places under your guidance, places I would not have seen on my own. I know that all of the people who have been walking with you share in wishing you well for the future and look forward to seeing you out and about in Shotley in your ‘retirement’. Finally, as you know we try to help strim and mow open spaces and footpaths in the parish that need a bit of TLC. Please keep an eye out for our team working around the village and if there are any paths or areas that you think need sorting out let us know and we’ll see what we can do. If you wish to be included on the growing Shotley Open Spaces email list, please contact Geraint Pugh (g.pugh1@btinternet.com), Gary Richens (gary.richens.583@btinternet.com) or Tony Lawford-Randall (keyworker@hotmail.co.uk). Report by Gary Richens
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THEATRE TRIP THE EASY WAY! A coach is going from Shotley Peninsula to see Mama Mia at the Novello Theatre, Aldwych, which is in the West End of London. The trip is on Thursday, June 7, leaving Chelmondiston at 1pm. There will be a few hours free time in the West End before watching the evening performance. Due to bulk buying we have got £67.50 seats at a discounted rate and we can offer coach and theatre for £60. For more information or to reserve your seat please contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777 / jane.gould@btinternet.com
‘SIX OF THE BEST’ TRIUMPH AT THE BAKERS ARMS Using a quiz supplied by The Royal British Legion, Harkstead Village Quiz held an open quiz at The Bakers Arms on Tuesday, January 23. This was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of signing the Armistice to end the First World War. About 50 competitors filled the pub trying to answer about 70 questions in two hours while eating the great buffet supplied. Finally, one of the ‘home’ teams – Six of the Best – were the winners, but only just! Very kindly, they donated their £50 prize to the RBL. The Bakers Half Dozen won the prize for the best team name (they ate their prize). Together with entry fees and a super raffle (20 prizes donated for this), the evening raised a total of £248 which will be sent to the Holbrook branch of the RBL to be added to their Poppy collection. The organisers would like to thank all of those who attended or helped, particularly Michael and his staff at the pub, the RBL for the quiz, everybody who donated raffle prizes and the ‘glamorous grannies’ who ran the raffle. The next Harkstead Village quizzes are on Tuesdays, March 6 and 20 at 8pm in The Bakers Arms. All are welcome!
HARKSTEAD AUCTION Our popular twice-yearly auction will be held on Saturday, April 7 in the village hall starting at 10am. If you haven’t been before, this is an enjoyable and profitable way to recycle those household goods that are too good to throw away and to make a few pounds for yourself. This is the best form of recycling! For those of us with an eye for a bargain it’s an opportunity to pick up collectors’ and useful items. Please put this date in your diary. If you would like more information or to book items in for sale, please contact Janet or David: 01473 328649 / harksteadauction@btinternet.com The lots are taken in on Thursday, April 5 between 2 and 8pm, however it is essential to book in items for sale in advance as we will be limiting the number of lots. No items can be accepted after 8pm on the Thursday. The hall is open for viewing the items for sale on Friday, April 6 between 11am and 1pm and again from 4 to 8pm, as well as from 9am on the Saturday of the auction itself.
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OUT & ABOUT HOLBROOK SOCIETY EVENTS Friday March 23: Tall Tales – an evening’s light entertainment by Speakeasy at Martlesham Toastmasters Club, 7.30pm at Holbrook Bowls Club Friday, June 22: In a talk entitled Alton Water Leisure Area, John Taylor, a warden at Alton Water, will talk about the management of the area and plans to develop leisure and wildlife amenities, 7.30pm at Holbrook Village Hall. Friday September 7: In a talk entitled Food for Free!, Vivia Bamford of Sciapod Dairy will inspire us to forage in the Suffolk countryside, 7.30pm at Holbrook Bowls Club More events in the pipeline!
STOUR VALLEY ARTS & MUSIC Young Musicians’ Concert 2018: Sunday, March 4, 4pm at Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP A welcome return of our popular concert showcasing some of the many talented young musicians in our area. The concert will be followed by a delicious afternoon tea. Tickets are £6 including refreshments. Proceeds will go towards SVAM’s education projects. Sacconi Quartet with Clarinet, Michael Collins: Sunday, March 18, 4pm at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt CO7 6TG Programme Glazunov: Oriental Reverie op14 Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A K581 Brahms: Clarinet Quintet in B minor op 115 Tickets are £14. Generously sponsored by Martin and Alicia Herbert. Tickets: 01206 298426 / svamtickets@btinternet.com / www.svam.org.uk Tickets can also be bought from Grier & Partners, East Bergholt
SHOTLEY VILLAGE HALL AUCTION Our next auction is on Saturday, March 3 with doors opening at 8.30 for a 9.30am start. To book lots contact Jim Catling – 01473 788499 / james.catling@yahoo.co.uk – or Norman Bugg – 01473 787358. It’s £1 to enter a lot in the auction. The minimum bid on any lot is £2. Lots can be delivered to the hall on Thursday, March 1 between 10am and 7pm. Viewing of lots will be on Friday, March 2 from 10am-6pm when programmes will be available. Bids can be left and paddle numbers booked. Entry on auction day is free, refreshments available.
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BABY & CHILDREN’S NEARLY NEW SALE Sunday, March 18, 1-3pm Stutton CEVC Primary School, Holbrook Road, Ipswich, IP9 2RY 70% of profit to seller less £1 admin fee 30% of profit to Stutton School (Charity No 1030549) For a seller pack please contact Teresa Wilding: 01473 328531 (answer machine available out of school hours) admin@stutton.suffolk.sch.uk All funds will be used to enrich the education of our pupils. Thank you for your support.
BELSTEAD VILLAGE MONTHLY MARKETS A market is set to take place in Belstead Village Hall from 9am-noon on the first Saturday of every month – starting on Saturday, April 7 – to raise vital funds to support refurbishment of the kitchen and ladies toilet. With an extensive range of tables, a raffle and refreshments, the market is the perfect place to meet with friends for a chat over a cuppa and a piece of cake while supporting this essential local amenity. You can also support Macmillan who will have a table laden with homemade goodies for sale. If you can sew, make or create and would like to hire a table (£10) please contact: 07981 335859 / market@belsteadvillage.co.uk
CELEBRATION OF QUILTS AND NEEDLECRAFTS Are you a patchwork quilter or an embroiderer? Are you a great knitter, a creator of crochet or some other form of textile work? Would you like to see your work exhibited at a Celebration of Quilts and Needlecrafts on April 28 and 29 in Harkstead Church on the Shotley Peninsula? You can also sell your work there. If you are interested in knowing more, get in touch with Eleanor Soar: 01473 327266 / eleanor.soar@gmail.com
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SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700
OUT & ABOUT
COFFEE
MORNING
SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700 COFFEE MORNING & BRING AND BUY SALE
SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700 Friday, March 9, 10am-noon at Shotley Village Hall and Bring and Buy Sale Entry £3 which includes coffee & biscuits plus two strips of raffle tickets
BINGO & RAFFLE BINGO EVENING everyone welcome
Where?
SHOTLEY VILLAGE HALL
When?
FRIDAY 9th MARCH
Time?
10am ‘til midday
Entry: £3 includes coffee & biscuits plus 2 strips of raffle tickets
Saturday, April 7, 7 for 7.30pm at Shotley Village Hall SATURDAY 7th April Everyone Starting: 7pmwelcome for 7.30pm Shotley Village Hall
PIANO RECITAL FOR EACH Alison Bestow and Claire Vane are holding a piano duet concert at 7pm on Saturday, March 24 at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook and would love to have your company in the audience. The concert will be held in the music school with the school’s finest grand pianos. The aim is to raise £1,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice. The programme has for everyone; Mozart two pianos, K448, Schubert Rondo in A major, D951 and a dances and light-hearted pieces including Tea for Two, Hava Country Gardens.
something sonata for number of Nagila and
Tickets are available from: 01473 625070 / 07931 731992 / alison.bestow@gmail.com For more details please visit: www.alisonandclairepianoduo.wordpress.com
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL CHORISTERS
GENTS’ BREAKFAST EVERYONE WELCOME
St Andrew’s Church Room, Chelmondiston on Saturday, March 10, 9-11am
I will happily cook for any gents who would like an English (or continental) breakfast with tea/coffee as required. Bring a friend or neighbour, or perhaps a newspaper or sports news… whatever interests you. Come at a time to suit you and I will cook a fresh breakfast for you. It would be great to know in advance if you will be joining us, but I am sure there will be places on the day. A donation of around £10 towards church funds would be appreciated.
Canterbury Cathedral Choristers present a concert in St Michael’s Church, Woolverstone on Wednesday, June 27 at 7pm. Tickets are £12.50 including summer refreshments.
Dilly Ridge dilly@hildaridge.co.uk / 01473 780350
For more information and to secure your tickets contact Chris Hodgkinson: 07764 285928 / jchodgkinson@gmail.com All proceeds to St Michaels Church Woolverstone and the Choir House Choristers Social Fund.
IPSWICH ARRAS ASSOCIATION FILM EVENING Wednesday, March 21, 7pm at Stutton Village Hall: Paris Pieds Nus (Lost in Paris)
ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, March 10, 9am-12.30pm. Come and pick up a bargain for Mother’s Day. Fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items which helps present buying. East End Butchers are pleased to be the market’s resident meat supplier. If you would like to place on order with them it can be collected at the market each month. Their number for orders is 01206 392190. Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee and a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue. New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777
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Filmed in Dominique Abel and Fiona Gordon’s signature whimsical style, Lost in Paris stars the filmmakers as a small-town Canadian librarian and a strangely seductive, oddly egotistical vagabond. When Fiona’s (Gordon) orderly life is disrupted by a letter of distress from her 88-year-old Aunt Martha (delightfully portrayed by Academy Award (R)-nominee Emmanuelle Riva) who is living in Paris, Fiona hops on the first plane she can and arrives only to discover that Martha has disappeared. In an avalanche of spectacular disasters, she encounters Dom (Abel), the affable, but annoying tramp who just won’t leave her alone. Replete with the amazing antics and intricately choreographed slapstick that has come to define Abel and Gordon’s work, Lost in Paris is a wondrously fun and hectic tale of peculiar people finding love while lost in the City of Lights. We look forward to seeing as many members as possible and to welcoming friends and visitors for what is a great film – showing in French, with some English, and French subtitles. Members £5, non-members £6; includes tea/coffee, biscuits and free parking. For more information please contact Pam Parrott: pamelaparrott@globalnet.co.uk / 01473 328056
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You’re invited to make an appointment at our Wherstead Park office to discuss:
Powers of Attorney Wills
Probate Court of Protection * We also offer a range of other services
Our out of town Ipswich location is very convenient for parking and has Contact us for an appointment today: excellent disabled access. www.ellisonssolicitors.com enquiries@ellisonssolicitors.com Wherstead Park, The Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2BJ 01473 556 900 Ellisons Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA Number 49336
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OUT & ABOUT SHOTLEY OVER 60s SOCIAL CLUB In March we will meet on Thursdays 1, 15 and 29 from 1.50-4pm. The committee has sorted out our outings for this year and the rest of the club agreed. On Thursday, April 5 we will visit the Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe for an afternoon performance of The Good Old Music Hall Days. This is on a Thursday because it is cheaper for us. We will be going to The Alex for lunch before the show which starts at 2.30pm and will have the coach with a lift so it’s easy for people who cannot cope with the steps. On May 2 we will be going to Aldeburgh for the morning, then off to Dunwich for a fish and chips lunch. We do have more outings for the rest of the year, which we will write about later. Lifts are always available. For information about the club or outings please contact Norman or Eileen: 01473 787358
SHOTLEY AND ERWARTON WI Long before all women had the vote, a group of mothers and daughters started Shotley and Erwarton WI. Our WI was one of the only places respectable women could go for entertainment. Ninety-four years later we are still going strong and recently celebrated our birthday. We decided to do a 60s style party and there was an array of costumes. Even our birthday cake was flower power decorated, while two helper dogs sported flowers on their collars. The party got going with glasses of Babycham and then we all had 60s style hot meals and delicious desserts. We finished the evening with a game of pass the parcel where everyone got a present, followed by a few games. Our next meeting will be a talk by Mike Ayden about our local history on March 21 at 7.15pm in Shotley Village Hall. All ladies, all ages are welcome. In fact we have just started a Facebook page under the name ‘Shotley and Erwarton WI’. Take a look to see what we do. For more information contact Jo Lee: 01473 787311
SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700 CLUB JANUARY DRAW WINNERS £25 Mr M Stiff (090) £20 Mrs V Hawkins (035) £15 Mrs S Catchpole (103) £8 Mr M Rogers (086) £7 Mrs J Nunn (033) New members are always welcome to join the 700 Club at a cost of £1 a month. This can be paid three, six or 12 monthly instalments. To arrange to join contact Norman: 01473 787358
CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club which meets on the first Monday of the month (except for bank holidays when it’s the following Monday). Saturday workshops (10am-4pm) and Monday meetings (7.30-10pm) are held in Wherstead Village Hall Meeting Rooms. Monday, March 5: Metal Beaded Bookmark (Jill) Monday, April 9; Making of a Wire Bird with Louise Harward Samples of each project are displayed the month before and other projects are available. Contacts: Ann 01473 780298 / Jill 01473 713534
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FAREWELL FROM SHOTLEY WALKING CLUB Shotley Walking Club was formed in January 1994 and we did our first walk on February 13, 1994. Unfortunately we haven’t walked in the last few months as nobody turned up; we are all getting older and unable to do the walks. I have been running the club for 24 years, but now I think it’s time to stop. We did three walks for the Village Plan in 2004 and 30 adults, four children and one dog joined us on one of the walks. I did several walks for St Elizabeth Hospice. We have walked round many villages, including Alton Water, Akenham, Bentley, Blakenham, Brantham, Baylam, Burstall, Bealings, Bramford, Belstead, Cattawade, Claydon, Chelmondiston, Capel, Coddenham, Chantry Park, Dedham, Dovercourt, Darmsden, Erwarton, East Bergholt, Eye, Felixstowe and Old Felixstowe, Flatford, Freston, Grundisburgh, Hintlesham, Hadleigh, Henley, Harwich, Holbrook, Harkstead, Holywells Park, Henley, Kirton, Kesgrave, Levington, Lawford, Little Wenham, Langham, Melton, Mistley, Manningtree, Martlesham, Newbourne, Nettlestead, Needham Market, Nacton, Orwell Country Park, Orford, Playford, Polstead, Rushmere, Stutton, Somersham, Stratford St Mary, Shingle Street, Sproughton, Shrubland Park, Wherstead, Westerfield, Waldringfield, Woodbridge, Walton, Witnesham, Tattingstone and Tuddenham. Some of the villages we did two or three times and I have eight photo albums of photographs taken on walks. Most of the maps I used were in the Evening Star. Michael Anderton used to put them in the Evening Star every Saturday for quite a few years when we first started the club. I have really enjoyed doing the walks and will miss writing my report every month and sending it to In Touch. Jill Nunn (pictured in the green and red jacket)
EAST SUFFOLK ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND A local charity for local people An independent and voluntary charitable organisation promoting the welfare of blind and visually impaired people in East Suffolk since 1914. Membership is free. We also hold a social on the last Wednesday of every month at Stutton Community Hall from 2-4pm when we provide entertainment, afternoon tea and a raffle, and twice a year we have a lunch at a local hotel. If you would like to join us, contact Ian, our community support worker, for more information: 01473 788380 We are always in need of volunteer drivers to assist us with our monthly social event. If interested please contact Barbara McDonald: 01473 328907
CHELMONDISTON WI On February 13 we enjoyed a fascinating talk on millinery from Oggie Weldon who brought some of her amazing creations for us to try. On March 13 we will be celebrating our group’s 92nd birthday with food and fun organised by the committee. April 10 will find us busy making a spring craft organised by members, when we trust the weather will match the theme! We would love to welcome you to our meetings which take place on the second Tuesday of each month at Chelmondiston Village Hall at 7.30pm. We provide great cakes to have with your tea or coffee! You can visit us for free and be assured of a very warm welcome.
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OUT & ABOUT 1st SHOTLEY SCOUTS
SHOTLEY WHIST DRIVE
It’s been a while since I updated you all, so here goes.
We are the only whist drive on the peninsula and have been going for about 22 years. We have seen a lot of changes over these years.
The Beavers have been getting crafty old style! We had an evening of wool craft where we made handmade felt, starting with some wool rovings, a plastic zip lock bag, hand soap and water. We started by selecting coloured rovings and laying them in pretty patterns in the bag, next we added soap and water. After zip locking the bag we bashed, smashed and massaged the bag to help felt the fibres together. Hey presto, felt pieces! Some wanted to keep them as they were, but others wanted to cut shapes from them. I made a felt brooch. The Cubs started the term with safety in mind, fire safety to be precise. They had an evening of learning how to light and extinguish fires safely. It’s all good practice for when the cubs go on camp to Thorrington in May. Scouts on the other hand are out of this world this term! They are working towards their astronomy badge and it was a great time to do this badge with the rare super blue blood moon. They have been making their own telescopes from magnifying glasses and cardboard tubes; maybe they will take them on the trip to the Ipswich Observatory later in the term. LEADER NEEDED As you can tell we have a lot of fun and activities going on in each of our sections, but could really use some extra help in our Beaver section. Have you ever considered volunteering some time? It’s a rewarding experience and you don’t need any special skills. If you would like to find out more please contact Jane: 01473 787416 PHIL THE BAG The next Phil the Bag drop off will be April 7 and the collection will be the following week (April 14). Finally, another one for the recipe books (Scout style). When I first heard about armpit fudge I was pretty sceptical that anyone would want to try this, but once you’ve tried it there’s no going back to normal fudge. You will need: ½cup of icing sugar 1tbsp of butter 2tsp cream cheese ¼tsp of vanilla extract 2tsp cocoa powder 1 plastic resealable bag Simply put all the ingredients in the bag, squeeze the air out of the bag and zip up. Place the bag under your armpit (or between knees or hands) and smush. When the ingredients are combined eat out of the bag with a spoon.
STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB Dudley Chignall presented Journey to Paradise and David Whittle presented How the Victorians Developed Dovercourt in February. On March 7 Grant Elliot returns with The Life of Chic Murray and we hold our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, March 21.
I have a lovely team who help me with the whist for which I am very grateful. Our whist drives for March are on Thursday 8 and 22 from 1.50-4pm. There will be no whist drive on April 5. Lifts are always available. For information please contact Norman or Eileen: 01473 787358
1st HOLBROOK BROWNIES 1st Holbrook Brownies were recently taken back to a time when there was no electricity. Finding your shoe sounds easy until all the lights are turned off and avoiding the daleks’ rays proved very exciting. We then enjoyed campfire songs by torchlight which brought back wonderful memories of our sleepover. Why are the action songs always so popular? I’m sure it’s because Brown Owl always gets in a muddle! Continuing with the ‘dark’ theme, our Brownies enjoyed a lovely torchlight walk across the footpaths. In fact, we hardly needed the torches as the beautiful ‘super moon’ lit our way. It was then back to the hall for hot chocolate and yummy marshmallows! Our Brownies have also designed their own 1st Holbrook Brownie Badge. We look forward to seeing the finished design sewn onto our hoodies. We have lots of exciting adventures to look forward to including ten pin bowling, roller skating and learning important first aid skills, as well as games to play and crafts to create. If your daughter or ward (aged seven to 10) would like to enjoy a variety of activities, take part in new challenges, make lasting friendships and, above all, have lots of fun, please register at Girlguiding UK. We do currently have a waiting list, so please don’t leave it until they are seven to register.
EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of or a volunteer for the National Trust, then we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. The start time is 7.15pm.
On April 4 Bob Milne will talk on The Assignation of the Italian Barber and Oliver Paul from Suffolk Food Hall, voted the best local food venue in the UK and Ireland in the Countryside Alliance Awards (Rural Oscars), will present Food and Farming Heritage on April 18.
Our next meeting is on March 22 when Luke Potter, the new East Suffolk General Manager for the National Trust, will give us an insight into the current work and future plans of the trust for our area. This will be preceded by a short AGM. The talk on April 19 is by Veronica Bennett, a volunteer speaker for the National Trust, who will tell us about Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk, popular for its architectural variety and beautiful garden and woods.
Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed.
Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome, entrance fee £3 each. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 a year (£12 a couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.
We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB at 10.30am. For further details please contact speaker secretary Dave Carman: 01255 880202
For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary – membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 – or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT VILLAGE LINK CLUB
ALTON BELLES
The History of Scarecrows is the subject of our talk on March 14. Future talks will be Pray Silence for ? and The History of Butley Priory.
Our first meeting of the year was a lively affair spent discussing the five resolutions submitted to the National Federation for consideration. The WI, as the largest women’s voluntary organisation in the United Kingdom, now has a membership of around 250,000. Nationally the WI is a strong lobbying body, not bound by any political or religious affiliations and is therefore free to speak out on areas of concern. In the past year, the WI has successfully lobbied for a ban on plastic micro-beads.
Meetings are held at 10am on the second Wednesday of every month in Tattingstone Village Hall. Following the speaker we have refreshments, when there is time for a chat with other members, and a raffle. New members and visitors are welcome to join us. Roger Felgate, 01473 311684
STOUR VALLEY U3A Robert Burridge presented a talk entitled Scott, Amundsen & the Race to the South Pole on February 14. He concentrated on their personalities, their leadership styles and the equipment they used to show their characters and their epic achievements in the face of huge difficulties. The Life and Times of Sir Alfred Munnings is the subject on March 14. Marcia Whiting, curatorial associate at The Munnings Art Museum will give an illustrated presentation exploring his life and wide ranging subject matter, including portraits, landscapes and rural scenes as well as the horse paintings for which he is so well known. On April 11, in a talk entitled GM Crops – Where are we now?, Professor Wendy Harwood will cover what the technology is, how it has developed from the first GM crops, how the new technology of gene editing fits in, the current situation worldwide and what’s in the pipeline. Roger Kennell will present William Pretty – A Suffolk Family & Corset Manufacturer on May 9. Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking and computer studies and groups that visit gardens, churches and historic buildings. In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust, have over 260 members and 21 groups. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Gillian Gibbs may be contacted. We meet at Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, except August and December. It’s never too late to learn! Join the 361,477 members across 969 U3As throughout the UK today.
SHOTLEY PENINSULA LOCAL HISTORY GROUP This year our meetings will be held at Shotley Sailing Club, Queen Victoria Drive, Shotley Gate, 7 for 7.30pm start. We are always delighted to welcome new members and visitors, please come and join us – annual membership £5, meetings £3, visitors £5. MEETINGS FOR 2018 Tuesday, March 13: Ed Packard – Looking after the Basque Refugee Children in Suffolk 1937-39 Tuesday, May 8: Jonathan Webb – The Rebuilding of The Melisa (Thames Barge) Tuesday, July 10: Peter Minster – Suffolk Brickworks Tuesday, September 11: Mr Mann – A History of The Royal Hospital School Tuesday, November 13: Ipswich Archaeological Society talking about Shotley Peninsula Tuesday, December 11: Christmas Meal For further information contact Jenny Elsey: jenny@elseyadcock.co.uk
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The five resolutions for this year: • Positive Body Image in a Digital Age • Stop Female Genital Mutilation • Raise Awareness of Modern Slavery in the UK • Mental Health Matters • Healthier Mouth, Healthier Body All these are important issues, but only one can go forward to our national conference. We talked about each of the issues in small groups, before each of us had a vote for the one we felt most important for the WI to get behind. All members felt far more informed about each of the issues before we took the very difficult decision of which one to choose. Our votes are now sent to headquarters where our votes will join the thousands of others. On March 15 we will have a talk and demonstration on complementary therapies. If you want to hear more about how you could get involved in our vibrant and forward-looking WI, please contact either Tamzin (328670) or Jane (327865).
MOTHERS’ UNION, SHOTLEY PENINSULA BRANCH There is no meeting on the first Wednesday in March, but on Friday 2 we have a 2pm shared service in St Andrew’s Church, Chelmondiston with the Methodist Women’s’ Fellowship for Women’s World Day of Prayer, followed by refreshments in the church room. Everyone is very welcome to join us. A further date for your diary is Thursday, April 12 when we celebrate Lady Day Banner Service at Rushmere Church, followed by a bring and share lunch in the adjoining church room, with a visit from our worldwide president Lynne Tembey who will give the address. Again, lifts are available; please contact Christine (780621), Pam (780796) or Thelma (787660) who will be pleased to arrange.
ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY On Wednesday, March 7, Louise Schofield will present a talk entitled Rescuing Zeugma from the Floodwaters of the Euphrates. On Wednesday, April 4, John Benjamin, familiar to all those who watch The Antiques Roadshow, will give a talk to mark the Golden Jubilee of NADFAS. A History of Jewellery from Elizabeth I to Elizabeth Taylor is a lecture close to one given in early 1969 which looked at the evolution of design in jewellery. We will see beautiful things. Why not join us and enjoy good company and interesting talks? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Talks last about an hour, commencing at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have enough space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces. Please contact Wendy Robbins in advance on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space. For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS PENINSULA POETRY Do you fancy reading any poetry you enjoy or to find one connected to the theme? Perhaps you fancy writing one of your own or sharing any already written. Or maybe you just fancy coming to listen. Everyone is welcome; we hope to see you at The Bristol Arms at 7pm on the following dates: March 14: Carry On April 11: On the Line May 9: Dreams June 13: Home or Away July 11: Family August 8: Messages September 12: Pictures October 10: Harmony November 14: Shades December 12: Food
FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN – SPRING IS ROUND THE CORNER! One of the most intriguing aspects of wildlife gardening that we have learned over the last few years is how we can help our wildlife get through the winter. Some of it is quite unexpected. For instance, did you know that many frogs while away the winter in a state of torpor, deep in the mud at the bottom of ponds? Or that in bumblebee and wasp colonies, the only ones to actually survive the winter are the new generation of young queen bees or wasps, which hibernate after mating. If the weather is sunny and mild then it could well be that some bumblebees will emerge to seek for nectar among the first flowers of spring. At Flatford Wildlife Garden we make sure that throughout the winter we have some plants that are in flower. After winter slumber, the garden will open in time for Easter on March 30. Why not come along to the RSPB garden to see the changes we have made – from a whole new range of wood sculptures up to and including the all new Sisters Garden? Those of you who have visited before will know that a corner of the garden was taken up with an old derelict bungalow previously home to a tea shop run by the Richardson sisters for many years. They bequeathed the site to the RSPB and after much thought and planning we have converted this to a new feature for the garden. A key aspect of the work is provision of a rainwater harvesting system and a large pond. This will cover 25 square metres (the site previously occupied by a now-demolished bungalow near the garden’s attractive visitor centre barn). “It has been designed for wildlife, with a pond-dipping platform so that children can have first-hand experience of pond life,” says our head gardener, Shirley Sampson. “That will be inspirational for them – so many children really love pond-dipping if they are given a chance to do it.” It is anticipated that this activity, the development of which is of course dependant on the speed at which Mother Nature progresses, will commence during summer 2018.
CHELMONDISTON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Have you ever strolled round a garden centre and wondered what goes on behind the scenes? Is it really as idyllic an occupation as we would like to imagine? Our March speaker is Susanna Davis of Katie’s Garden, who will be telling us about a Year in the Nursery. Come and find out how they pass the winter months and how they cope with the unpredictable British weather. The meeting starts at 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 27 and if you are not a member, you are welcome as a visitor for a contribution of £2.
HOLBROOK AND DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB Visitors are always welcome at our meetings on the second Tuesday of the month in Holbrook Village Hall, starting at 1.30pm with a cup of tea afterwards and a chance to chat to friends old and new. Sit back and enjoy a trained demonstrator doing beautiful arrangements and entertaining us with interesting and often amusing patter at the same time. You might even win an arrangement to take home with you. FORTHCOMING DEMONSTRATORS March 13: Terri Potter April 10: Lorraine Scott May 8: Crystal Dyball June 12: Brenda Tubb September 11: Bernard Collingsworth
CHELMONDISTON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL The New Year has well and truly started and we have already had the February half term. It has been an incredibly exciting half term for our choir! Each year the children begin to prepare for the Young Voices concert which is held at the O2 Arena in London. There are a number of dates when schools can attend and we went on Monday, February 5. It was an amazing experience for both the children and the parents who came along to the evening performance. The children from Chelmondiston C of E and Tattingstone CEVC Schools shared a bus to the venue. If you have ever been to the O2 you will know what a vast arena it is. Our children, together with some 7,950 others, filled half of the auditorium and completed what must be one of the biggest choirs in the world.
Come and see what we have done and bring the family this Easter. We will be open daily from March 30 and presenting our Easter theme of supporting sparrows as part of the RSPB #wildthings initiative. There will also be plants for sale, as well as plant supports woven from willow grown in the garden, and our unique wildlife cards designed by two of our volunteers.
All of the children’s hard work and effort since September paid off as the rehearsal was simply superb and the final performance exceeded all expectations. As well as performances from the assembled children’s choirs, we had performances from The M4gnets, a vocal harmony and beat boxing group, Alfie Sheard, an internet sensation who at 16 is taking the world by storm, and Natalie Williams, a fabulous jazz star. The performances were also accompanied by some incredible street dancing.
Do come along and enjoy the first signs of spring. No entry charge to the garden. Car park free for National Trust members, £4 for others. Please check our website periodically for more details: www.rspb.org.uk
The day is something that I am sure all of the children will never forget. It is these opportunities that make our children’s school days so memorable and we are committed to making sure that we are making the memories for our children’s tomorrows. Headteacher Sean Cornish
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SCHOOLS / SPORT STUTTON CEVCP SCHOOL What a busy January! We have undergone the process of ‘due diligence’ with our proposed multiacademy trust and will know the outcome of our application in a matter of days. Having undergone a thorough review of the school including leadership, finances, pupil progress, premises, HR and personnel with the MAT, this was immediately followed by a two-day Ofsted inspection. Our report will not be available until after half term. Our KS2 children really enjoyed the ‘Blast Off’ day at RHS, where they tried their hand at various instruments along with a number of other schools. The day finished with a musical performance. What an experience! Our youngest class are very much enjoying their trips to Canham’s Wood and are looking forward to toasting marshmallows on their first campfire. The whole school had great fun making and eating pancakes just before half term, experimenting with a variety of toppings! Our older class is looking forward to their trip to Tunstall, when they will experience an archaeological dig first hand. We are already planning our costumes as we will be coming to school on World Book Day dressed as our favourite book character. On Friday, March 9, we will be holding a special Mother’s Day tea and cake afternoon. On Sunday, March 18, we are hosting a Nearly New Sale (see page 11). Anne Clarke
STUTTON TODDLER AND BABY GROUP We would love to see some new faces join our friendly group and keep this valued village group going. We run every Tuesday morning during term time from 9.30-11.30am at Stutton Community Hall for pre-school aged children. If there are enough families who wish to attend in the school holidays we are also happy to continue to meet. We are a very friendly group of mums, dads and grandparents and we would love to see you and your children. Your first session is free and thereafter we ask for a contribution of £3 per week. We have lots of toys, plenty of space to play in, craft activities, healthy snacks for the children, cups of tea or coffee for adults and always a warm welcome. We hope to see you soon.
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IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL This month we are very proud to report that we hosted the first ever open indoor volleyball tournament for junior girls to be held in Suffolk, which attracted two teams from as far away as Cambridge. The tournament is the idea of our junior coach Joao-Paulo Santos, having the goal to develop and raise the standard of girls’ volleyball by providing a competition open to clubs throughout East Anglia. We intend to repeat the tournament each month of the indoor season, and we have already received additional interest in the next month’s tournament from clubs in Norwich, Tendring and Boswells School in Essex. Our own girls section started about a year ago. The girls have applied themselves very well in training and as a result they have grown in ability and number. As a result we were able to enter three of our own teams in the foura-side tournament which the girls named Ravens, Eagles and Panthers. The highlight of the event for us was an excellent win by the Eagles in the pool phase against an experienced Cambridge B team, helping them to overall first place in the round robin. Eagles were placed first due to having a better record in the games between the teams tied on three wins. The top three teams then went on to play in a final group, where the Cambridge teams had their revenge and the Eagles finished overall third. A very satisfactory outcome to an enjoyable tournament and the girls can’t wait for next month’s episode! So for once the adults took second stage, as we entered two teams as usual in the monthly six-a-side tournament held at Northgate School. In Division 1 our men’s team won both of our initial pool games against Stowmarket II and Ipswich II, putting us through to the final group where we lost to Ipswich I and the very strong Lakenheath to finish third overall. Meanwhile our ladies team showed how much it has improved recently, along with the help of new players we have attracted in recent months. We achieved our best ever result in Division 2, finishing top of our initial pool phase with wins against Bury Juniors, Seagulls and Fil-Suffolk Smashers. We therefore qualified for the final playoff, where we were beaten into overall second place by the mixed m/f team Diss Asters. If you have ever thought about giving volleyball a try, now is a great time to give it a go. It’s a fast and exciting sport, it’s perfect to help build fitness, and being non-contact it is largely free from injuries. At Ravens we are actively seeking new members and will welcome anyone, male or female, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from 13 upwards. Qualified coaches run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games, making them very enjoyable while helping participants to improve their skills and fitness. We meet every Saturday from 2-4pm and most Tuesdays from 7-9pm at St Alban’s School, Rushmere. If you are interested in joining this growing sport, call/text 07508 351875 or visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk
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SPORT EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FC January was a disappointing month for the 1st Team. It started well with Bob Coleman Cup victory at Achilles, but then injuries set in and the remaining three games in the month all ended in defeat, latterly disappointingly going out of the Bob Coleman Cup to Division One Sporting 87. The Reserves started the year slowly, but ended it with victories in the Travel Plus Tours Cup and League A. The A Team’s struggles continued. UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team/ Senior Division Sat, Feb 24: Haughley Utd (H) Sat, Mar 3: AFC Hoxne (A Sat, Mar 10: Colpestonians (H) Sat, Mar 17: Ransomes Sports (H) Sat, Mar 24: Benhall St Mary (A) Mon, Apr 2: Capel Plough (A) Reserves / League A Sat, Feb 24: Framlingham Town Res TPT Cup (A) Sat, Mar 10: Old Newton Res (A) Sat, Mar 17: Sporting 87 Res (H) Sat, Mar 31: AFC Hoxne Res (A) A Team / League B Sat, Feb 24: Claydon Res (H) Sat, Mar 3: Stowupland Falcons Res (H) Sat, Mar 10: Stonham Aspal Res (A) Sat, Mar 17: Wickham Market Res (A) Sat, Mar 24: Claydon Res (A) Fixtures are subject to change. Please refer to the fixtures website to confirm: https://tinyurl.com/yb9x9ejp. It has been decided to put the race night on hold for the time being. We are always looking for people who can help the club as committee members, whether it be on the playing side or just in the background. If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts, banners and boards on matchdays are all potential exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation. EBUFC is a community club with very strong village traditions. The majority of the players either live in, or have links to, the village. Please come along and give us a look sometime. Steve Butcher: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com
This year has got off to a good start. New Year’s Eve in the club was an opportunity to get 2017 gripes off the chest with a lively Room 101 event. A bit of a rest to get over Christmas excesses and then with sharpened wits, the members enjoyed the January quiz night with quizmaster Gareth Craze. The club welcomed over 70 quiz entrants. Burns Night was well supported, the haggis addressed in ferocious style and informative, eloquent and funny toasts to the bard and lassies. March will see a team going down to Shotley Sailing Club for a quiz night, a talk on last year’s Fastnet race and then Easter will be upon us. For more action and entertainment visit: www.pmsc.org.uk / Facebook: PMSCSocial
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Neptune Sailing is based on the River Orwell at Woolverstone. We have a large number of craft of different types and provide a range of dinghy sailing and powerboat training and assessment. The centre is available to both young people and adults. We aim to provide quality tuition, based on the RYA National schemes. Neptune Sailing is a registered company and has been awarded charitable status. Programme for 2018: Youth Group and Summer Course Places Our website has been updated for the 2018 season and all course programmes are available to view. Places for summer courses may be reserved using the linked application forms. For youth group places it’s best to contact our membership secretary first to discuss your child’s needs: youthgroup@neptune sailing.org.uk Neptune Youth Groups: Apply Now Our youth groups run on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings over 16 weeks for beginners, improvers and advanced skills and are open to ages 10 plus. They are very popular, so making an early approach regarding joining one of the groups is advisable. See our website for details. Powerboat and Adult Sailing Courses Powerboat and adult sailing course places are now available to view on the website. Places may be reserved by using the application form link. Dingy Instructor Course 2018 The course is filling up fast so apply now via the website. The preinstructor assessment and the first aid requirement can also be carried out at Neptune. Want to get involved? Neptune is dependent on a small team of qualified staff, supported by a wide range of volunteers, who take on many different tasks, serving on the management team, organising events, organising courses and maintenance. Each group is organised by a senior instructor, supported by instructors and support boats. We are keen to hear from instructors and especially senior instructors who are keen to help us. If you are interested in helping us please get in touch via our website. Neptune Supporters Group If you are interested in helping us, please consider joining one of our occasional work parties. We always need help, and the last session of the season was very well attended, resulting in the major tasks being completed rapidly. For more details or to book one of our courses in 2018, please visit: www.neptunesailing.org.uk
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ON THE GRAPEVINE QUESTIONS ON CASH With Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb David from Bramford writes: “My father left £100,000 to my son in his will. The executor (a local solicitor) says that as my son is eleven years old, this gift will need to be held in trust until my son reaches age 18. He says that I have been appointed as trustee, and that I should invest the money into stocks and shares. My own financial adviser has said it would be better to invest into an investment bond, but I am concerned that he is just suggesting this as he will earn commission. Who is right?” I think your financial adviser is offering the best advice here David. Investments like stocks and shares are deemed by the Capital Taxes Office to be ‘income bearing’ assets. That means they produce interest or income. When held in a trust, any such interest or income is taxed at the Trustee Income Tax Rate, which is currently 45%. However, an investment bond is a very ‘trust-friendly’ investment in terms of taxation, as unlike stocks and shares, an investment bond is not deemed to be an ‘income bearing’ asset. The ‘income’ produced by an investment bond is very tax efficient, particularly when held in a trust fund. Under current rules, you may withdraw up to 5% of the original investment from the bond each year and advance this money to the beneficiary, without any liability to income tax, for up to 20 years. This is because the Inland Revenue deem that the 5% ‘income’ is technically not income, but a withdrawal of the original capital. If you don’t take the full 5% in any year, you can carry it forward to another year and take 10%, and so on. In my opinion, providing the wording in the will allows you as trustee to invest as if beneficially entitled, and to advance income or capital to the beneficiary, an investment bond would be a much more suitable investment than stocks and shares for your son’s trust fund. As for commission, this should remunerate your adviser for his advice, and the work he undertakes for you in the same way a stockbroker would earn commission for buying or selling shares for you. If you are concerned that the amount of commission might be excessive, ask your adviser to rebate some of his commission into the bond for you, or ask him to work on a fixed fee basis. Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser. Send your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham, Suffolk IP6 8JP, email them to nick@plumbfs.co.uk, or telephone Nick on 01473 830301. Nick’s answers to reader questions in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice. Any readers who require specific advice should contact Nick to arrange a complimentary initial meeting to discuss their own position. Plumb Financial Services are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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RIDE FOR LIFE IS BACK! Cycle the East Anglian countryside for children’s hospices East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is encouraging cyclists to get back in the saddle for an epic 200-plus mile ride across the region. The charity’s Ride for Life returns on Friday, July 20. Cyclists will start and finish at the home of headline sponsor Johnston Logistics UK in Snetterton, visiting EACH’s three hospices – The Treehouse in Ipswich, Milton just north of Cambridge and Quidenham in the Norfolk countryside – in between. The journey takes three days. Greg Tucker from Harston was among cyclists who took part in last year’s challenge. He said: “It was a great three days of effort, excitement and enjoyment. We had a great time together doing some good for other people. It was certainly a highlight of my year!” Tim Grimes from Hethersett also took part. “A very enjoyable weekend was had by all,” he said. “It was a very well organised event – the best I’ve been to so far.” The three-day challenge costs £150 and each participant must raise a minimum £400 sponsorship. That package includes dinners, beds and breakfasts at city locations and luggage transfers. Cyclists unavailable for the entire event can choose to do just one leg of the route, covering around 65 to 70 miles. The cost is £50 and minimum sponsorship of £150 is required. Everyone taking part will have access to first aid assistance if needed, a backup vehicle, kit list and training information, mechanical help, fundraising support and more. The route has been designed to weave through scenic countryside, visiting some of the most beautiful villages and towns in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Emma Benstead, EACH Events Fundraiser, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing back our Ride for Life. As Greg and Tim said, it’s a really fantastic way to meet people, explore the East Anglian countryside and enjoy yourself, all whilst raising money for a vital good cause. There’s no competitive aspect to this and people can enter individually or as groups. Spaces are limited, though, and we have some fantastic early bird offers, so please get in touch now to find out more and secure your place.” The early bird prices are as follows: One-day registration – £37.50 plus minimum sponsorship of £150 Three-day registration – £125 plus minimum sponsorship of £400 Three-day registration for groups of four or more people – £100 per person plus minimum sponsorship of £400 per person EACH cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across East Anglia and supports their families. For both those accessing care and those who have been bereaved, EACH is a lifeline at an unimaginably difficult time. It costs the charity almost £6million a year to deliver its service and all funds raised through Ride for Life will help. To book your place and for more information contact Emma on 01953 666770 or visit: www.each.org.uk/rideforlife
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ON THE GRAPEVINE LOCAL PET CHARITY APPEAL FOR FOSTER VOLUNTEERS Blue Cross pet charity in Wherstead is appealing to Suffolk animal lovers to join a volunteering scheme that offers foster care to homeless pets. Volunteer fosterers take Blue Cross pets into their own homes and care for them until loving families can be found. Fostering is ideal for pets who are struggling to cope in a kennel or cattery environment. The charity also needs foster homes for dogs and cats recovering from illness and operations, and it is ideal for litters of puppies and kittens that need important socialisation in the first weeks and months of their lives. Steve Roberts, from Ipswich, has been a Blue Cross foster volunteer for the last three years. He explains: “Fostering is such a rewarding experience, especially when an animal you’ve cared for goes off to a loving new home. I would love to have a pet of my own, but caring for rescue cats and dogs on a foster basis is so fulfilling. It’s also ideal for those who enjoy animal companionship, but don’t want the lifetime commitment of owning a pet.” Blue Cross provides volunteers with all the equipment and skills needed to look after pets in their own homes. Special training, expenses, pet food and behaviour advice are all taken care of by the charity. Buster is just one of the many Blue Cross pets who would benefit from spending time in a foster home. The six-year-old black Labrador arrived at the charity because his owner could no longer care for him. During a routine veterinary check at the centre, vets discovered lump on his leg, which was diagnosed as an aggressive cancer. Thankfully Buster has been given the all clear after two surgeries and will soon be looking for a loving new family. Karina Grimwade, centre manager at Blue Cross Suffolk, adds: “Blue Cross takes in thousands of homeless and unwanted pets every year. While our staff and volunteers give pets the very best care, nothing can beat a loving home. We like to get poorly, young and stressed pets into foster homes, but we desperately need more volunteers.” Potential foster volunteers need to live in the Ipswich area or within driving distance of the Bourne Hill centre. To find out more about becoming a Blue Cross foster carer contact 0300 777 1480 / suffolk@bluecross.org.uk or visit: www.bluecross.org.uk
RSPCA SUFFOLK EAST AND IPSWICH BRANCH On behalf of my fellow trustees and myself I should like to thank the East of England Co-op, whose headquarters are at Wherstead, for allowing the RSPCA Suffolk East and Ipswich Branch to carry out collections at several of their superstores this year. We are grateful to businesses that come forward to help us as we are an independent and, mainly self-funding branch of the RSPCA. As a separately registered charity, our work helping animals in need in our local area is not paid for by the government or the national lottery. It costs us more than £450,000 every year just to maintain our animal centre at Martlesham, our veterinary clinic in Ipswich and our veterinary voucher schemes. As well as our own fundraising, we rely heavily on the generosity and support of the local community. If you happen to see our volunteer collectors at a Co-op store, please place a generous donation in their tin. Ian Hendry
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IPSWICH AND DISTRICT KIDNEY ASSOCIATION Ipswich and District Kidney Association – more usually referred to as IDKA – is a registered charity set up about 25 years ago by a group of patients who wanted to give something back to the hospital that had made such a difference to their lives and also to help newly diagnosed patients come to terms with their situation. Our aim is still to help improve the lives of people suffering from kidney disease and we try to achieve this through providing items of equipment not available through the NHS, providing entertainment systems and heaters to make time on dialysis more bearable and by providing welfare grants where financial hardship is as a direct result of kidney disease. Les Talbott, vice-chair of IDKA, is pictured presenting a cheque for £5,998 to Dr Richard Smith, renal consultant at Ipswich Hospital, to fund a research programme at a local level for dialysing patients in conjunction with the renal unit at the University of Suffolk. IDKA also organises social activities and our AGM has developed into a spectacular family fun day. Local Kidney Patients Associations similar to IDKA formed all over the country and from these grew the National Kidney Federation which promotes best practice in renal medicine and treatment at a national level, getting involved directly with the government and the NHS. The NKF also provides support and advice services and IDKA works closely with them and similar national organisations to stay abreast of current developments. Membership of IDKA automatically provides membership to the NKF and access to their publications. IDKA realises that kidney disease has far-reaching effects, not only on the patient but on their carers and family too and sometimes it is difficult to know where to turn. Many people are reluctant to ask for help or think that they are in some way ‘beyond’ help. Rest assured that is never the case so please contact us. Whether the problem is financial, medical, emotional or whatever, if we are not in a position to deal with it ourselves we have access to a variety of specialists who will be able to so please do not suffer in silence. Although we do know a great many very clever people, none of them are clairvoyant so they will not be able to help you unless you make them aware. All contact will be treated in the strictest confidence, but if you are still unsure and would prefer first contact to be with someone anonymously over the telephone please contact The British Kidney Patient Association on 01420 541424. The BKPA operates an excellent advocacy service and their regional officer pays frequent visits to Ipswich. In cases where someone is suffering hardship as a direct result of kidney disease, IDKA may be able to provide a welfare grant. As with other organisations who provide similar services we are obliged to ask a few questions so we can demonstrate that we are using our resources correctly and in-line with Charity Commission guidelines, but personal information is never shared with anyone else and is always treated in the strictest confidence. If you, or someone you know, is suffering hardship under these circumstances please contact us or speak to one of the renal nurses. Similarly, if you are aware of a problem with the care provided for kidney patients please contact us and we will investigate whether anything can be done to improve the situation. IDKA is run on behalf of its members by a dedicated committee of volunteers who are keen to hear from patients, including home dialysis patients. We are also keen to hear from anyone who would like to support out fundraising events, such as our forthcoming quiz night at Kesgrave Social Club on Friday, May 4. Please contact Doug Swayze, chair of IDKA – chair@idka.org.uk / 01449 612090 / 20 Bures Close, Stowmarket IP14 2PL – or vice-chair Les Talbott – 01473 635749.
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ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHURCH NEWS SUFFOLK WALKING FESTIVAL The 11 Suffolk Walking Festival launches on Saturday, May 12 and is going to be the largest festival to date with over 120 events spread across three weeks. th
Suffolk Walking Festival has come a long way in its 11 years. From small beginnings the event has grown and grown to encompass the entire county with a wide variety of imaginative and creative walks. This year also sees the introduction of the first ever Fringe Festival, a series of activities that are designed to get you close to nature in the very heart of Suffolk’s countryside. The walking festival explores every corner of Suffolk, revealing hidden secrets and special gems, from the impressive estate of Helmingham Park to scenes that inspired Constable and a dragon on a hillside! This year you can experience the dawn chorus with bird watching experts, identify wild flowers at Sizewell Belts, and listen out for the earie churring of a Nightjar. Learn all about England’s Silk Capital, visit the Home of Horseracing, and get to grips with the Horrible History of Ipswich! We have Nordic walking, health walks and mindfullness walks. The Lions Charity even has a Mutt Strutt around Alton Water for two and four legged walkers – there really is something for everyone! The festival launches in the impressive surroundings of St Peter’s Hall, home to the world famous St Peter’s Brewery. Tickets to attend the launch and all of the 125 events are available from March. Copies of the festival brochure are available in your local library and Tourist Information Centre. For more information visit: www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk
MUSEUM SUFFERS COLLECTION THEFTS The Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket was targeted by thieves in the early hours of Monday, January 29, with numerous historic buildings across the 75-acre open-air site damaged and items of collection stolen. Thieves stripped lead from the back roof of local landmark, Abbot’s Hall, causing damage to the roof and brickwork of the Grade II* listed house, which was built in 1709. Additionally, around 135 collections items used to tell the stories of everyday lives in the local area were taken during the theft. Irreplaceable items include white porcelain jars from the former Stearn’s Chemist which was located in the centre of Stowmarket up until the 1990s, and hats and ties from Ranson’s Tailors of Lavenham. Other items stolen include objects used for the museum’s schools workshops, including Victorian toys and cookware, and historic advertising signs, including for Hornsby Oil Engines and Esso Blue. “The collections reflect the community’s history and are there for the benefit of local people. It is extremely sad that this has happened,” said Museum Director, Jenny Cousins. “We ask anyone with knowledge to contact the police. We also encourage members of the public at car boot sales, antique stores or on eBay to keep an eye out for objects which have marks on them which look like museum numbers. They would be small and handwritten – usually in the following form: 81.A.61/12/1,2.”
CHELMONDISTON & HOLBROOK METHODIST CHURCHES MAKING SENSE OF LIFE Can you imagine a blind man, in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn’t there? For some the study of philosophy, the meaning of life, being and existence can be a bit like that dark room and not much hope. Many people feel as hopeless as that about their search for God. A social worker visited a sick boy in the back streets of Lagos and found some books on the table beside his bed. They were a Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, the Koran, a copy of the Watchtower, a book by Karl Marx and another with the title How to Stop Worrying! A quest for the meaning of life down so many avenues is a very confusing business. Life itself can often throw things at us that cause that quest for meaning of life to be broken or be affirmed and enriched. A dear Christian sister, Sally Laws (known to many readers), who taught religious education and was herself a Christian with a profound faith in God, has recently died after 21 years of living with Multiple Sclerosis. Despite the pain, the suffering and the frustration she had a confidence in God and that God would provide the strength she needed for each day. She radiated love, joy and peace. There could be no doubting her faith in God, or that God had chosen her to be his child and to bear fruit in the midst of suffering. We will be celebrating her life and faith on March 5. As I was reflecting on Sally’s life yesterday with others, I came across this quote: “The greatest thing about heaven is being with the Lord”. We know that’s where Sally is. What makes that difference? The Christian faith is not about people blindly groping for God, but more about God seeking for individuals, because he loves them and wants them to know and love him. An agnostic journalist, broadcaster and satirist who had been trying to run away from God but came to faith late in life said: “I’ve never wanted a God, or feared a God or felt under any necessity to invent one. Fortunately, I’ve been driven to the conclusion that God wants me.” And why did God want him? Why does God want you? The answer is not because of anything in you, but solely because of His love for you. That’s humbling yet so clear. We love because he first loved us. If your quest for meaning in life is hitting the buffers, or you are struggling to make sense of life, do get in touch.
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AT CHELMONDISTON METHODIST Sunday 4 10.45am 6.15pm Sunday 11 10.45am 6.15pm Sunday 18 10.45am 6.15pm Friday 23 3.30pm Sunday 25 10.45am 6.15pm
Worship and Communion with Rev Andrew Sankey Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Worship with Mr Paul Finch Worship with Rev Martin Dawes Worship with Mr Ted Jack Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Messy Church Worship with Rev Michael Ayden Worship with Mr Chris Jowett
AT HOLBROOK METHODIST (HCT Holbrook Churches Together) Tea and Chat (HCT): Mondays, 2.30-4pm Home Groups: First and third Tuesdays at 7.30pm and Thursdays at 2pm Saturday 3
10-11.30am Coffee Morning
Sunday 4 10am 6.30pm Sunday 11 10am Friday 16 3.30pm Sunday 1 10am 6.30pm Sunday 25 10am 6.30pm
Communion with Rev Michael Allen Lent 2 Study Worship with Mr Bryan Nichols Messy Church (HCT) Family Friendly Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Lent 3 Study Worship with Mr Colin Westren Elmsett Brass Band Something Different
Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in November. For more information about Messy Church, Tiddlers and Family Live (HCT) contact Alicia Holmes: ajnholmes@gmail.com / 01473 658478 Rev Andrew Sankey Minister at Chelmondiston & Holbrook Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216
In Touch online:
CHURCH NEWS TWO RIVERS BENEFICE
SHORELINE BENEFICE
ST PETER’S, STUTTON March 4 8am 10.30am March 11 9.30am March 18 9.30am March 25 9.40am March 29 7.30pm Good Friday, March 30: March 31 9.30pm
Holy Communion Worship for All (Stutton School) Holy Communion Holy Communion Palm Sunday Benefice Service in Holbrook (see below) Maundy Thursday Holy Communion in Freston All Churches open for Quiet and Prayer Easter Eve Vigil in Woolverstone (see below)
ALL SAINTS, HOLBROOK March 4 4pm March 11 10am March 18 8am 10am March 25 9.40am March 29 7.30pm Good Friday, March 30: March 31 9.30pm
ST ANDREW’S, CHELMONDISTON March 4 9.15am Holy Communion March 11 9.15am Mothering Sunday Family Service with Harkstead March 13 10am Mid-week Holy Communion March 18 9.15am Holy Communion followed by APCM March 25 9.30am Family Service (Palm Sunday) March 29 7.30am Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Reception of Oils and Foot Washing March 30 10am Good Friday Hot Cross Bun Service
Winter Refreshments, Service with Hot Chocolate Matins Holy Communion Informal Service Palm Sunday Benefice Service / Benefice Procession from All Saints Church to the Methodist Chapel for a United Service Maundy Thursday Holy Communion in Freston All Churches open for Quiet and Prayer Easter Eve Vigil in Woolverstone (see below)
ST MARY’S, ERWARTON For information on services visit: www.shorelinebenefice.co.uk
ST MARY’S, WHERSTEAD March 4 No Service March 11 11am March 18 No Service March 25 9.40am March 29 7.30pm Good Friday, March 30: March 31 9.30pm ST PETER’S, FRESTON March 4 11am March 11 No Service March 18 11am March 25 9.40am March 29 7.30pm Good Friday, March 30: March 31 9.30pm
Holy Communion Palm Sunday Benefice Service in Holbrook (see above) Maundy Thursday Holy Communion in Freston All Churches open for Quiet and Prayer Easter Eve Vigil in Woolverstone (see below)
St MARY’S, HARKSTEAD March 4 9.30am Holy Communion March 11 9.15am At Chelmondiston (Mothering Sunday) March 18 9.30am Holy Communion March 25 9.30am Family Communion (Palm Sunday) March 27 7.30pm Compline and Meditation ST MARY’S, SHOTLEY March 4 10.45am March 11 10.45am March 18 10.45am March 25 10.45am March 26 7.30pm
Family@ShotleyChurch Family Communion (Mothering Sunday) Worship for All Holy Communion (Palm Sunday) Compline and Meditation
Please check the website or the church noticeboards for any change to the service times and places.
Matins Holy Communion Palm Sunday Benefice Service in Holbrook (see above) Maundy Thursday Holy Communion in Freston All Churches open for Quiet and Prayer Easter Eve Vigil in Woolverstone (see below)
ST MICHAEL’S, WOOLVERSTONE March 4 11am Death Café March 11 11am Worship the Woolverstone Way March 18 11am Morning Prayer March 25 9.40am Palm Sunday Benefice Service in Holbrook (see above) March 29 7.30pm Maundy Thursday Holy Communion in Freston Good Friday, March 30: All Churches open for Quiet and Prayer March 31 9.30pm Easter Eve Vigil, A Service of Silence, Prayer and Reflection
THE PENINSULA BAPTIST CHURCH Pin Mill Road, Chelmondiston IP9 1JE We invite you to join us on Sunday morning at 10.30am or Sunday evening at 6pm. FIND US, FIND COMMUNITY, FIND LIFE Contact Dave Kelland: 01473 788441 / 07970 312705
www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley
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CHURCH NEWS
HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB
Parish Priest: Father Christopher Smith 01473 684963 / 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ
easy to put ourselves in another person’s shoes, especially those very different from us, and this can cause us to have doubts and fears.
We are part of St Mark’s RC Parish, Ipswich. For up-to-date information please visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk
“These fears are legitimate, based on doubts that are fully comprehensible from a human point of view. Having doubts and fears is not a sin. The sin is to allow these fears to determine our responses, to limit our choices, to compromise respect and generosity, to feed hostility and rejection,” he continued. “The sin is to refuse to encounter the other, to encounter the different, to encounter the neighbour, when this is in fact a privileged opportunity to encounter the Lord.”
SERVICES FOR MARCH 2018 Sunday 4 9am
3rd Sunday OF Lent Mass
Tuesday 6 9.30am 10am
Morning Prayer Mass
Sunday 11 9am
4th Sunday OF Lent Mass
Tuesday 13 9.20am 10am
Eucharistic Adoration Mass
Sunday 18 9am
5th Sunday OF Lent Mass
Tuesday 20 9.30am 10am
Morning Prayer Mass
Sunday 25 9am
Palm Sunday of The Passion of The Lord Mass
Tuesday 27 9.30am 10am
Morning Prayer Mass
The weekly newsletter, with weekly mass times, is always displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door. Catholic Commentary Pope Francis recently said that while it is normal to be afraid of the unknown, we can’t let this direct how we respond to newcomers in our midst, who should be treated with respect and generosity. It’s not
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Events & Diary Date The 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday, February 18 when three lucky winners shared a record £151. The next draw takes place on Sunday, March 18. The club, set up to support the life and mission of our parish, has grown from strength to strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am-noon. We are raising funds for church maintenance and all are very welcome to join us. The next event is on Thursday, March 29. Supporting our local hospice All parishioners are asked to collect used postage stamps, all year, not just at Christmas, and place them in the box at the rear of the church to help support the outstanding work of our local hospice. Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital Father Adrian Gates is the Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital. Please contact him (01473 726701) if you or a Catholic is in or due to go into hospital and requires his services. All are very welcome at Holy Family, Brantham All are very welcome to attend Holy Family services, it is not necessary to be a Catholic and enquiries about the Catholic faith are always welcome. Please contact the presbytery, as above, or a local person whom you know is a Catholic.
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SCHOOL CHOIRS' CONCERT SATURDAY 17 MARCH, 7PM PRE-CONCERT DRINKS FROM 6.30PM
CHAPEL ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL, HOLBROOK, IPSWICH IP9 2RX
The Holbrook Choral Society | Royal Hospital School Chapel Choir Chamber Choir | Show Choir | plus pupil-led ensembles Conductors: William Saunders, Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick & Edward Allen Organ: Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick
Full: £10 | Conc: £7 | U18: FREE experiencetickets.co.uk/rhsmusic
01206 573948